What's in your Foxhole?

Do you have a flag? How much territory do you possess? What are your boundaries? Are they in dispute? Are you a proud territorian?

What's your story?

What the hell am I talking about?

Read the poem below and decipher for yourself. There is no wrong answer. You can take from it what you will.

I can assure you though, it has nothing to do with actual foxholes, though thought it prudent to share a few images on the subject.

(Any ideas, feedback, discussion points welcomed).

This
is MY Foxhole

The very flavour

In your favour

Is now your cross to
bear

(sleeping dogs lie if
bears will)

Hibernation arrives

If you hide away inside

And toss salvation to
the pack.

Tell a story

Or stand firm

Rather than offer the
heart

As flaws with
embarrassment

Leave nasty welts

Red, tainted,
impressions

To make a statement

A story

Of loss, pain, joy

What may be

The paragraphs are at
least visible

Like black beneath the
eyes

As persecution is drama

And without either

There’s no hook

To hang the hat

Or pity the self.

So slay the wanderers

And the Peacekeepers

And persist with charge
and retreat

As crying foul never
hurt you at least.

Make as much noise as
possible

While the smoke trails

And the banners fly

As you prop up the mast

And claim your
territory

With a purpose

And a wry all-knowing
grin.

The poem was written in April 2013. I wrote over 300 poems that year. There's no particular reason I'm sharing this one with you now. Many will never see the light of day. The very best are saved for submissions. Then there are some that just need to get out there, and fuck waiting for publications to get back to me.

Debut Poetry Collection

Novella - Fiction

For Your Pleasure

Bio

I grew up in a town of 600, somehow ended up in London and now live in Sydney. Aside from writing, I'm a Television editor and an Aged Care Recreational Officer. I've made short films, music videos and video poetry. Many stories and poems accepted into publications in various countries from the U.S. to Europe to Asia.

Books: a novella, Bottomless River (2012), a poetry collection, Caged Without Walls (2013), a collaboration with an artist, For Your Pleasure (2015) and a short story collection Pseudo Eyes (2017). My best work is my daughter. She's seven.

I've written seven novels (unpublished). In reverse order.

Lone Wolf World: He's not religious or political but is smart, unique and very dangerous.

I feel the Pain of One: A depressed teen inadvertently documents a murder.

Ode to Dead Young Friends: The true story of four young people whose time came too soon.

R.I.P. Rest In Prime: An aging population has placed a burden on society. There's only one solution. Controversial.

Oblivion City and Oblivion Terminus: Is it the end of civilization? A two book Young Adult dystopian nightmare.

Borders of Bordavia: An epic children's fantasy. Think Junior Lord of the Rings.